Katia Destine calls on her Haitian roots and her love of the performing arts to explore the modern media’s handling of issues related to race, gender and class.
In Haiti, as in other parts of the Caribbean, much of the historical link between art, culture and community was borne out of necessity, as enslaved inhabitants were forced to find novel ways of communicating. As a first-generation Haitian American, Katia Destine has always been aware of that connection and the role art played in helping her ancestors survive slavery. But, as she grew older, Katia also became curious about how the modern media impacts that relationship between art, culture and community on a broader scale. When it came time to choose a major at UCF, Katia (pronounced ket-ya) was determined to make that the focus of her degree.
“I’m passionate about creating art – throughout my life I’ve done film dance, and theater – but I’ve also been interested in how art impacts the lives of people and communities, and how certain groups of people are represented in the media. I wanted a major that combined these different areas of interest, but I couldn’t find a pre-set course of study that would allow me to do that,” explained Katia. “Then I discovered the Interdisciplinary Studies major and realized that I could create my own.”
For her Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) major, Katia chose to concentrate on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Letters in Modern Languages. She is also minoring in Mass Media and pursuing a certificate in Diversity Studies Leadership. Katia has made the most of her chosen academic path, earning a UCF Scholar’s Award, a place on the President’s Honor Roll, and a grant from Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, which supports first-generation college students and members of traditionally underrepresented groups who demonstrate strong academic potential.
“I don’t receive a lot of financial support from my family, so that’s been a struggle,” explained Katia, “but the financial aid I’ve gotten through these awards and grants has alleviated that burden so I can accomplish more. I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing without that, because I’d have to be working 24/7.”
Katia is also a Burnett Honors Scholar, which enables her to conduct original and independent research under the supervision of a faculty committee. Burnett Honors research projects culminate in a thesis or creative project.
“My main goal in choosing IDS as my major was to do research and dive into this subject that I was so interested in,” said Katia. “Being a Burnett Honors Scholar has allowed me to do even more of that.”
While Katia loves researching topics she’s passionate about, she has also jumped at the chance to put her knowledge into action, most notably as president of the UCF chapter of Alpha Iota Sigma (AIS). AIS is an honor society established to recognize outstanding academic achievement in the field of interdisciplinary studies. The organization was founded at UCF in 2012 by IDS lecturer Dr. Sharon Woodill and now boasts chapters at a dozen colleges and universities across the United States.
“Members of Alpha Iota Sigma take what they’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to help the community,” said Katia. “We work with local businesses, nonprofits and community members to do different projects in areas like environmental preservation and early childhood education. My focus is around media representation and literacy.”
Katia’s rich academic path has even given her the opportunity to experience first-hand an art form similar to what her ancestors might have practiced in Haiti hundreds of years ago. During the summer of 2023, Katia took part in a Study Away course that focused on Bomba, a type of music and accompanying dance developed by enslaved Africans in Puerto Rico. They used Bomba to disseminate news, teach each other important skills and even form a rebellion. The art form is still ubiquitous in the Afro-Puerto Rican community today.
“I went to Puerto Rico and not only did we learn about the history and culture of Bomba, but we got to actually learn the dance and the rhythms,” said Katia. “We had a showcase where students got to show their stuff, and I presented my Bomba dance. It’s much harder than you might imagine.”
That experience earned Katia yet another award, the Outstanding Research-Intensive Award in the Amy Zeh High Impact Practice Student Showcase. It is yet another honor that Katia says will continue to motivate her to learn more and make a difference.
“In high school, I thought I was going to just end up getting a nine-to-five desk job. But UCF ignited my passion for research,” said Katia. “I didn’t see this path for me to become a researcher or scientist until I started doing it, and that’s because of the opportunities that UCF presented me.”